Market Analyst Writeup: App47
App47 is a leading provider of Mobile Application Management (MAM) solutions for enterprises, positioning itself within the broader Enterprise Mobility Management (EMM) space with a specialized, app-centric focus. The company's core mission is to provide businesses with a secure, efficient, and scalable method for deploying, managing, and analyzing their private and public mobile applications to a diverse audience of employees, customers, and other constituents. Founded in 2011 and based in the United States, App47 offers a cloud-based platform that is also available as an on-premise solution, catering to small, midsize, and large companies across various industries, including construction and healthcare.
The company advocates for a Mobile Application Management (MAM) approach, which manages security and policy at the application layer, distinguishing it from traditional Mobile Device Management (MDM) solutions, particularly in Bring Your Own Device (BYOD) environments where employees may be reluctant to give an employer complete control over their personal devices. App47 delivers an integrated, lifecycle approach designed to be the central foundation of an organization's mobility strategy, ensuring that technology services can be projected to mobile and embedded devices without compromising security, user experience, or performance.
Continue…Core Products and Services
App47???s offering is anchored by its MAM Core Foundation and is delivered primarily through two distinct, yet integrated, App Store models: the Enterprise App Store and the Embedded App Store.
1. Enterprise App Store
The Enterprise App Store is a sophisticated, private app distribution mechanism designed specifically for companies with a mobile workforce or customer base that uses their own devices (BYOD). It focuses on providing a familiar public app store usability with robust, private app store control and security.
Key features and capabilities include:
* Mobile App Management for BYOD: Secure delivery and management of both internal and public applications to employees and customers on devices the enterprise does not control.
* Customization and Branding: A brand-able User Interface (UI) to ensure a consistent corporate look and feel.
* Secure Onboarding and Access Control: Streamlined self-service onboarding with carefully regulated application access. Access levels are flexible, ranging from no-password public apps and one-time password access per device, to full integration with preferred Single Sign-On (SSO) providers. This allows tailoring access based on the sensitivity of the underlying data for each app.
* Content and Support: Applications within the store are supported with a full array of information, including screenshots, educational videos, documentation, and tips. A comprehensive review system for user feedback is also baked into the platform.
* Licensing Management: The platform leverages Apple's Volume Purchase Program (VPP) to simplify app licensing.
2. Embedded App Store
The Embedded App Store extends App47???s MAM capabilities to connected enterprise devices, which includes a wide range of hardware from industrial equipment like bull dozers to medical equipment such as ultrasound devices.
Key features and capabilities include:
* App Management for Connected Devices: Provides app management for specialized enterprise devices, often hardened Android-based systems that are shifting the user experience away from traditional customized LED screens.
* Deep Customization: Fully customized integration into the company's product suite, complete with a customized User Interface (UI) and Taxonomy.
* eCommerce Functionality: Offers features for monetizing applications and services, including both app and in-app purchases, as well as subscription management for product-integrated software.
Ancillary Services and Platform Features
Beyond the core app store models, App47???s integrated platform includes a suite of tools essential for a mature enterprise mobility program:
- Application Lifecycle Management: Provides features for version control, easy updating, and rolling out new apps to a diverse user base.
- Analytics and Intelligence: Offers real-time visibility into application usage, performance, and device status. This includes generating crash reports and supporting benchmark testing, which provides critical insights for improving the mobility strategy.
- Security and Content Management: Tools for managing sensitive data, user access privileges, and the ability to remotely manage and wipe data on compromised devices, although its primary focus is at the application layer.
- Professional Services: The company offers a dedicated implementation team to assist with last-mile integration, addressing unique customer requirements such as customized Lightweight Directory Access Protocol (LDAP) solutions, customer-facing product integrations, or specific MDM integration needs.
